Co-Op, Operations Planning and Performance - Data and AI Enablement (Summer 2027)

About the job

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

The Operations Data & AI Enablement (ODAE) team is seeking highly motivated and curious individuals who are excited to leverage data to improve the operations. DAE enables the Operations Planning & Performance (OP&P) organization by designing modern data foundations & building data pipelines that improves data quality, accelerates insights, and empowers faster, smarter decision‑making across the business. We create human-centered data and AI foundations that empower OP&P; through intuitive design, governed structures and embedded intelligence; that unlocks speed & ease to analyze operational problems.

The ODAE team has 3 core functions:

1. Data Foundations - design and steward reliable, well‑governed data foundations that enable analytics and AI at scale

2. AI Strategy & Tooling - embed AI and data toolkits into analytical products and workflows to drive innovation, productivity, and faster insights

3. Data Enablement Delivery - design and maintain high-quality data assets & pipelines to enable the right analytics at the right time

The Co-Op will work closely with analytics professionals in the operation supporting the following cross-divisional focus areas:

• Aircraft Performance Planning - managing aircraft and gate to gate operations and performance
• Airport Performance Planning - improving airport processes and managing performance
• Crew Performance Planning - improving Pilot and Flight Attendant operations and performance efficiency
• Disruption Containment - tracking flight metrics, weather, day-of flight analyses
• Operations Digital & Decision Science – developing decision science tools and digital product solutions
• Operations Performance - managing centralized operations and competitive performance analyses
• Operations Schedule and Planning - optimizing aircraft schedule and resource availability to maintain peak on-time performance
• Process & Competitive Analysis - improving system processes & evaluating key metrics against our competitors in the airline industry

Students are required to complete three alternating semesters of work and school; all rotations must be completed before the student's graduation. Note: Students are not permitted to work part-time hours and should refrain from taking classes and working as a co-op in the same semester. The full-time work schedule for this role, while remaining actively enrolled in an approved undergraduate curriculum, is as follows

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Enrolled in an Undergraduate program in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Analytics, Economics, Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, or similar 4-year degree program

• Available for three alternating semesters for full-time work

• Ability to report in-person to Delta’s World Headquarters (Atlanta, GA) or willing to relocate each semester (housing stipends will be provided to students who meet the minimum criteria)

• Team oriented and highly supportive of continuous improvement methodologies

• Basic understanding of data management & enablement functions: ETL/ELT pipelines, relational database fundamentals, modeling concepts, etc.

• Proficiency with Python or other similar tools and programming languages

• Proficiency in SQL and ETL/ELT patterns

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data analysis tools and concepts

• Strong organizational, project management, and verbal/written communication skills are essential

• Willingness/ability to adapt quickly and learn new skills are required

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, and personal data.
• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.
• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.
• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in the United States.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Working knowledge of and/or experience with cloud-based solutioning (i.e. Azure, AWS, GPC, etc.)